Expanding Burnsville Landfill Wouldn't Affect Groundwater: MPCA

BURNSVILLE, MN — Expanding Burnsville Sanitary Landfill wouldn't have any impact on groundwater, according to new findings from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

The agency also said that the expansion would produce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 86,542 tons per year of carbon dioxide (CO2). This is the same amount of greenhouse gasses emitted from 18,800 passenger vehicles each year, the agency said. This number accounts for mitigation efforts made by Waste Management to address the increase in greenhouse gas, according to MPCA.

The landfill expansion would increase its capacity by 23.6 million cubic yards and extend its life to 2062, the agency said.

The proposed expansion would also modify and shrink the current waste disposal footprint from 216 to 204 acres and increase the peak height of the landfill by 262 feet, the agency said.

This research was done during the environmental review process phase of the project and a decision on whether or not to expand the landfill will be made in the permitting phase of the project, MPCA said.

Burnsville City Council approved the landfill expansion in its concept stage two years ago, according to a report by The Minneapolis Star Tribune.

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